Best Dutch Apple Pie
Such a delicious apple pie that's sure to impress! A combination of sweet and tart apples, perfectly spiced with a hint of lemony tang, makes this Dutch Apple Pie the best in flavor. This is my family's favorite.
Ingredients
Easy Pie Crust
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) chilled butter cut into small pieces
- ¼ cup ice-cold water
Delicious Apple Pie Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar plus 2 tablespoons (white sugar)
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 8 apples, peeled and thinly sliced (I use a combo of gala and granny smith, 4 each)
For the Crumb Topping
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup or 6 tbsp salted butter, softened
Instructions
Easy Pie Crust
- Place the flour, sugar (if using) and salt in a food processor and pulse about 5-6 times. Add the cut-up chilled butter and continue to pulse just until flour looks and feels almost like sand. Turn on the processor and slowly pour in the ice-cold water and process just until mixture comes together and looks and feels like chunky clay. If you don't have a food processor this can be done by hand, too. I use the food processor to make pie crust as it's so quick and convenient.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin (or simply knead by hand) to form a disk (about 1 inch in thickness). Wrap the disc in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes before using it. I place the disk in the fridge and work on the apple pie filling and the crumb topping. That allows more than enough chilling time for the dough.
- As the pie dough chills, make the apple pie filling and crumb topping.
Delicious Apple Pie Filling
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Peel and slice the apples thinly. In a bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir in the apples to coat. Set aside to allow the apples to absorb the flavors.
For the Crumb Topping
- Mix the flour, sugar, and softened butter until crumbly. You may do this by hand using a pastry cutter or simply pulse a few times in a food processor.
- Take the pie dough out from the fridge, roll to about 1/8-inch thickness and spread over the pie pan (use a deep 10-inch pie pan). Crimp as desired. Spoon the apple mixture all over including any juices or liquid with it. Sprinkle the crumb topping all over the apples. Cover loosely all over with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and increase the temperature to 400 F and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and you see fillings bubble. Cool completely. This can be made 1-2 days ahead. This allows the flavors to develop even more and the apples set well for easier slicing. Serve with some ice cream.
Notes
TIPS & TRICKS
If you don't have a food processor this can be done by hand or manually, too. I use the food processor to make pie crust as it's so quick and convenient.
Using a combination of apples gives this apple pie such a delicious flavor. Gala apples add sweetness and they retain their shape so the pie looks pretty when sliced up. Granny smith apples add tartness which perfectly contrasts with the sweet gala apples.
Sometimes, I divide the 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon between the crumb topping and the apple filling. I suggest you do that when you make this!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!